Turner for doughnut machines



Patented Nov. 28, 1939 aiersae Verne V.

Gunsolley, Minneapolis, Minn, assignor to Dough-King, Inc., Minneapolis, Minn., a corporation of Minnesota Application February 25,

16' Claims.

My invention relates to turners for doughnut machines and particularly to turners adapted to be used with machines such as shown in my Pat ent No. 1,516,962 issued Nov. 25, 1924.

An object of my invention resides in providing a turner having a twisted passageway of relatively short length.

Another object of the invention resides in providing a turner in which doughnuts of varying dimensions are positively turned over;

An object of. the invention resides in constructing the turner so that the doughnuts as'they are turned over are depositedin a pool of the cooking liquid whereby injury to the doughnuts is prevented. I

Another object of the invention resides in constructing the turner so that the cooking liquid, in passing through the turner, is given a whirling action whereby the doughnut is floated through the turner with the raw side thereof at all times maintained out of contact with the surfaces of the turner. v

A still further object of the invention resides in providing a turner in which the discharge end of the turner is greatly abbreviated to avoid engagement with the doughnut after the same has been turned.

A feature of the invention resides in arranging the turner with the axis of the same inclined downwardly in the direction of the flow of the cooking liquid whereby pockets are eliminated from the turner in which the cooking liquid might remain when the cooking liquid of the doughnut machine is drained therefrom.

An object of the invention resides in providing a turner in which the elevation of the doughnut, in passing through the same, is being continuously lowered.

A still further object of the invention resides in arranging the axis of the turner on the skew, so that the doughnut, when in its vertical position, is nearer one of the walls of the trough of the doughnut machine than the other whereby more space is given to the'doughnut in over-turning to prevent injury to the doughnut upon the arriving at its inverted position.

Other objects of the invention reside in the novel combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter illustrated and/or described.

In the drawing: I

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a portion ofa doughnut machine illustrating an embodiment of my invention applied thereto.

1938, Serial No. 192,577

Fig. 2 is an elevational sectional view taken on line 2'2 of Fig. 1. I

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view taken on line 33 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 41 is. a. cross sectionalz View taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 1. I

Fig. 5 is a cross sectional View taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 1. v

Inasmuch as theconstruction of doughnut machines, in which my invention may be used, is Well known in the; art, as disclosed in my patent heretofore referred to, a completedoughnut-machine has not been illustrated in this application and only so much of the doughnut machine", as is necessary to describe the present invention, has been shown.

In the drawing: A portion of a doughnut machinev has been shown, which consists of a pan it having a way II in the same. This way contains the cooking liquid, which is indicated by the reference numeral I 2. The cooking liquid travels throughout the course formed by the way I l, in the pan it, and'in the directionof the arrow as shown in Fig. 1, and causes theprogression of doughnuts along the way, the doughnuts floating along the surface of the cooking liquid. The pan I0 is constructed with side walls l3 and I4, and with a bottom l5 connected therewith.

These parts may be constructed as. disclosed in the patent or any other suitable. manner, and the propulsion of the cooking liquid through the Way maybe procured in any suitable manner.

The invention proper comprises a turner indicated in its entirety by the reference humeral I6. This turner consists of a flattened twisted conduit open at the upper portion of the same and which forms a trough along which the doughnuts are progressed. This conduit is constructed with a bottom H which, at the head end of the turner, is horizontal and extends I completely across the-way I I- and between the walls I3 and Hi. This bottom is gradually twisted and, viewed in the direction of the flow of the. liquid, is'iormed with a right-hand twist. The twist in the said bottom is of such degree that at the point 3, shown in Figs. 1 and 5, the surfaceof said bottom is vertical. It will thusbe seen that the bottom I! has gradually been changed into a side wall, which is designated by the reference. numeral I9 in the drawing, and which as stated is. vertical at the point IS. The side wall. I!) is twisted. beyond the vertical until the same, at its upper portion, overhangs the bottom l5 of the trough, as shown in Fig. 6. The curvature of this wall terminates at the point 22, shown in Fig. 1, at which locality the section shown in Fig. 6 is taken. A wall 2i, connected to the wall It at point 22, recedes back toward the wall I 3 of the trough ill to prevent eddy currents in the liquid beyond the turner proper.

At the head end of the turner a vertically extending side wall 23 is provided which meets the bottom I! and lies flush up against the side wall I3 of the trough in. This wall becomes shorter in height and gradually merges with the wall l9, said latter wall forming a continuation thereof.

At the head end of the turner and on the side thereof opposite the wall 23 is another vertical side wall 24. This side wall is gradually twisted, similarly to the bottom l1, until the same, at the Point 25 which is the same distance from the head end of the turner as the point Hi, the said wall lies horizontal instead of vertical and forms a bottom 26, which takes the place of the bottom l'l. This bottom is further twisted until at the end of the spiral the same takes the position shown at 21 in Fig. 6. At this locality the said bottom is constructed with a ramp 28 which brings the surface of the said bottom to the level of the bottom l5 of trough l0.

Issuing inwardly from the wall 24 of the turner is a lip 29, best shown in Figs. 1 and 4, which has a surface 3! parallel with the bottom IT. This surface is twisted in conformity with the twist given to the bottom I! so that at the point 32, which is at the same distance from the beginning of the turner as points 25 and it, the surface 3! is vertical. The said surface continues beyond this point, as designated at 33, where the surface slopes in the opposite direction being still there parallel to the wall I9. The lip 29 merges into the wall 24 at the beginning of the same so that where the doughnuts enter the turner the said lip has no over-hang. The over-hang of the lip thereafter increases rapidly up to the point 34 where the same runs substantially parallel to the side wall I4 and up to the point 32. The inclination of the surface 3| of said lip, as stated, is parallel with that of the bottom I? and wall I9. The lip 34 is of varying height, as best shown in Fig. 2, being greatest at the point 32 and gradually decreasing to zero at its two ends. By means of this construction the channel through the turner, which is designated by the reference numeral 35, is complete throughout its extent on the left hand side of the turner, as viewed in the direction of the travel of the cooking liquid, and is only partly complete on the right hand side. This permits of the passage of over-sized doughnuts through the turner without clogging. The space between the lip 29 and the wall M is bridged over by means of a ledge 31. This ledge forms the uppermost portion of the said lip and slopes gradually downwardly from the upper edge of the wall [4 to the bottom E5 of the trough. The said ledge may be constructed so that transverse elements thereof are substantially horizontal or so that the same slope slightly upwardly toward the wall I4. A small ramp 38 brings the surface of the ledge 31 down to the surface of the bottom 15 of the trough.

The center line of the channel, passing through the passageway 35 of the turner, is indicated by the reference numeral 39. It will be noted in Fig. 1 that this center line extends from the center of the way H at the head end of the turner toward the left as viewed in the direction of the travel of the cooking liquid. The doughnuts,

when discharged from the turner, are thus well toward the wall it of the trough so that the same are in a position to fall without engaging the wall M of the trough. In this manner injury to the doughnuts in turning over is prevented. From Fig. 2 it will be noted that the center line 353 inclines downwardly from the head end of the turner to the discharge end thereof so that the doughnut in traveling through the passageway 35 is at all times being lowered in elevation. Thus gravity greatly assists in making the doughnut turner positive in action and prevents the clogging of the turner.

At the head end of the turner is provided a ramp til best shown in Figs. 1 and 2, which meets the bottom 1'! at a transverse line 52, which is horizontal and which extends directiy across the turner. This ramp causes the cooking liquid to enter the passageway 35 without undue agitation so that the same flows uniformly into the said channel.

The operation of the invention is as follows: The cooking liquid is maintained at a considerably higher elevation at the head end of the turner than at the discharge end thereof. This causes a rapid flow of the cooking liquid through i the turner and at an appreciable downward inclination. By means of the lip 29, the cooking liquid passing through the right hand portion of the turner, viewed in the direction of the flow thereof, is turned inwardly, as designated at 42 in Fig. 4, and caused to whirl. This forms a cushion 3! of cooking liquid at surface 32 of the lip 29 for the doughnut which prevents the doughnut from coming in contact with the surface of said lip. The current of the cooking liquid at such locality as being toward the center of the channel also assists in over-turning the dough nut. By means of this construction, the doughnut floats throughout the turning thereof, and from its horizontal to vertical position is free from engagement with the walls of the turner.

The ledge 31, at the lower end of the turner, is so constructed that the level of the cooking liquid extends upwardly along said ledge for a distance such that, when the doughnut is overturned and falls upon the uncooked side thereof, the same drops into a puddle of cooking liquid immediately overlying the lower portion of said ledge. This puddle of cooking liquid serves to break the fall of the doughnut and at the same time prevents the doughnut from striking any metal and becoming damaged. As soon as the doughnut has been overturned the same continues to flow in the cooking liquid in the lower end of the way i I.

The advantages of my invention are manifest. The device is extremely simple in construction and is highly positive in action. By forming the turner open on the one side, doughnuts of excessive size may be easily run through the turner without clogging the same. By inclining the turner the same moves in a positive manner so that it becomes impossible to cause the doughnuts to become lodged within the channel of the turner and at the same time no pockets are present in which the cooking liquid may collect when the same is drained from the machine. By having the axis of the turner extend from the middle and toward one side, ample space is provided in which the doughnut may over turn without hitting the opposite side of the trough.

Changes in the specific form of my invention, as herein disclosed, may be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of my invention.

1. Aturner for doughnut machines in which the doughnuts are progressed along -a way through the flow of the cooking liquid, said turner comprising a flattened, twisted duct disposed in said way and through which the cooking liquid travels, said duct being arranged so that the longitudinal axis thereof extends from a point substantially in the central vertical plane of the way at the head end of theturner to a point laterally of said plane at the discharge end of theturner. I

2. A turner for doughnut machines in which the doughnuts are progressed along a way through the flow of the cooking liquid, said turner comprising a flattened, twisted duct disposed in said way and through which the cooking liquid travels, said duct being arranged so that the longitudinal axis thereof extends from a point substantially in the central vertical plane of the way at the head end of the turner to a point laterally ofsaid plane at the discharge end of the turner, and on the. side of said plane opposite from that to which the doughnut falls when overturned.

3. A turner for doughnut machines in which the doughnuts are progressed along a way through the flow of the cooking liquid, said turner comprising a flattened, twisted duct disposed in said way andthroughwhich the cooking liquid travels, said duct consisting at the head end of a horizontal wall and a vertical wall, said walls being twisted to bring the horizontal wall into vertical position and the Vertical wall into horizontal position near the discharge end of the ductand a lip formed on said horizontal wall and extending toward the opposite wall and falling short of the same to leave the turner open between said lip and the opposite vertical wall.

4. A turner for doughnut machines in which the doughnuts are progressed along a way through the flow of the cooking liquid, said turner comprising a flattened, twisted duct disposed in said way and through which the cooking liquid travels, said duct operating to turn ing liquid at the side of said duct along which the uncooked portion of the doughnut travels to hold the uncooked portion of the doughnut spaced from the walls of the turner.

5. A turner for doughnut machines in which the doughnuts are progressed along a way through the flow of the cooking liquid, said turner comprising a flattened, twisted duct disposed in said way and through which the cooking liquid travels, said duct being formed at a locality shortly past the overturning point to provide in the way a pool of cooking liquid in which the doughnut isdropped.

6. A turner for doughnut machines in which the doughnuts are progressed along a way through the flow of the cooking liquid, said turner comprising a flattened, twisted duct disposed in said way and through which the cook ing liquid travels, said duct having an inlet disposed medially of said way and an outlet disposed to one side of said way.

7. A turner for doughnut'machines in which the doughnuts are progressed along a way through the flow of the cooking liquid, said turner comprising a flattened, twisted duct disposed in said way and through which the cooking liquid travels, said duct consisting at the head end of a horizontal wall and a vertical wall, said walls being twisted to bring the horizontal wall into vertical position and the vertical wall into horizontal position near the discharge end of the duct and a lipformed on said horizontal wall and extending toward the opposite wall and falling short of the same to leave the turner open between said'lip and the l opposite vertical wall and a ledge extending from said lip laterally toward the wall of the way.

8. A turnerfor doughnut machines in which the doughnuts are progressed along a way through the flow of the cooking liquid, said turner comprising a flattened, twisted duct disposed in said way and through which the cooking liquid travels, said duct consisting at the head end of a horizontal wall and a vertical Wall, said walls being twisted to bring the horizontal wall into vertical position and the vertical wall into horizontal position near the discharge end of the duct and a lip formed on said horizontal wall and extending toward the opposite wall and falling short of the same to leave the turner open between said lip and the opposite vertical wall and a ledge extending from said lip laterally toward the wall of the way,

said ledge being below the surface of the cooking liquid at a locality immediately following the overturning vpoint of the turner.

9. A turner for doughnut machines in which the doughnuts are progressed along a way through the flow of the cooking liquid, said turner comprising a flattened, twisted duct disposed in said way and through which the cooking liquid travels, said duct being arranged to cause the doughnuts entering the same to flow through the duct throughout its extreme extent by gravity.

10. A turner for doughnut machines in which the doughnuts are progressed along a Way through the flowof the cooking liquid, said turner comprising a flattened, twisted duct disposed in said way and through which the cooking liquid travels, said duct being of a length such that the entire twist thereof is less than one hundred and eighty degrees.

11. A turner for doughnut machines in which the doughnuts are progressed along a way through the flow of the cooking liquid, said turner comprising a flattened, twisted duct disposed in said way and throughwhich the cooking liquid travels, said duct being of a length such that the entire twist thereof is greater than ninety degrees and less than one hundred and eighty degrees.

, 12. A turner for doughnut machines in which the doughnuts are progressed along a way through the flow of the cooking liquid, said turner comprising a flattened, twisted duct disposed in said Way and through which the cooking liquid travels, said duct terminating shortly past the turning point thereof and at such locality recedits extent from the head of the turnerto the discharge end thereof to cause the doughnut to lower while being inverted and to cause draining of the turner when the cooking liquid is removed therefrom.

14. A turner for doughnut machines in whic the doughnuts are progressed along a way through the flow of the cooking liquid, said turner comprising a flattened, twisted duct disposed in said way and through which the cooking liquid travels, said duct being arranged so that the grade of the cooking liquid through the turner is greater than the grade of the cooking liquid following the turner.

15. A turner for doughnut machines in which the doughnuts are progressed along a way through the flow of the cooking liquid, said turner comprising a flattened, twisted duct disposed in said way and through which the cooking liquid travels, said duct being arranged so that the grade of thecooking liquid through the turner is greater than the grade of the cooking liquid in advance of the turner.

16. A turner for doughnut machines in which the doughnuts are progressed along a way through the flow of the cooking liquid, said turner comprising a flattened, twisted duct disposed in said Way and through which the cooking liquid travels, said duct being arranged so that the longitudinal axis thereof slopes downwardly from the head of the turner to: the discharge end thereof, and obliquely with respect to the direction of extent of the way.

VERNE V. GUNSOLLEY.. 

